In what could be a first in the history of the Grinsted Cup, trophy holders Cowra will surrender the luxury of playing at home this Sunday, having offered Forbes the hosting rights in an attempt to get a game.
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Forbes forfeited their challenge on Sunday, January 8 due to a lack of numbers but accepted Cowra’s offer ahead of this Sunday.
Cowra coach Matt Crawley explained the reasoning behind the decision.
“This time of year Forbes and a number of smaller towns traditionally struggle and some of their players couldn’t commit to travelling but Forbes could guarantee a game if we traveled,” he said.
“We’re trying to do something positive with the Cup and reinvigorate some interest. I don’t envisage us travelling every week if we keep it though.”
Forbes Cricket Association president Andrew Glasson gave full credit to the Cowra side for their offer.
Mark Stirling will captain the Forbes team, with strength expected to be in their bowling performance.
“We’ll be looking for some high quality bowling from Jarrod Nicholson and the Hoswell brothers,” Glasson said.
Cowra wrested the Grinsted Cup from a previously dominant Parkes in their clash before Christmas.
“We’re under no illusions about the strength of the Cowra side,” Glasson said.
“They’re an aggressive batting team – but they do give chances, we need to take them.
“We also need to bat out our overs.
“This is happening in our Saturday competition, we need to transfer it to a Sunday game.”
In Forbes’ batting line-up, they will look to Abel Bernardi and Jarrod McDean.
Forbes will also welcome Corey McDean home from Under 16s Western Region representative duties.
McDean, wicket keeper for Western, has put in a strong performance at the Bradman Cup in Newcastle this week.
McDean made 58 runs off 55 balls in Western’s opening clash with North Coast, then went on to take three catches for the side’s win.
He caught two more in the second round loss to Riverina, then added a handy 20 runs as a tail-end batsman.
Western had another win against Central Northern on Wednesday, McDean scored 38 runs of the side’s 220 total. They were playing ACT Southern yesterday.
The Ginsted Cup clash will be played at South Circle Oval from 10am Sunday.
Saturday cricket continues tomorrow with Work Control hoping to continue an unbeaten run.
Last weekend, they went in to bat first and batted out their 40 overs with 5/174. Jarrod Nicholson for VC Reid had the openers contained, taking two for 19 off eight.
Work Control went to drinks at three for 49 and powered in the second half of the innings for their 174. Jason Hoswell added 55 and Jamie 79 of those runs. They cleaned up VC Reid’s wickets for 66 runs.
In the other game, Masterstroke beat Tigers.
